Bottle-stopper.



No. 690,220. Y Patented Dec. 3l, IQDL J. S. ALSTOM. BOTTLE STOPPER.

(A111 at on led July 11 1901;

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

JOI-INS. ALSTON, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NElV JERSEY.

BoTTLE-sToPPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,220, dated December 31, 1901.

Tippmann ined July 11, 1901.

T0 @ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN S. ALSTON, a citi- Zen of the United States of America, residing at 12 Metropolitan avenue, Atlantic City, in the county of Atlantic and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Bottle-Stoppers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to bottle-stopper fasteners of that kind, style, or construction wherein the stopper is held clamped to the head of the bottle-neck by a bail actuated by a lever adapted to cause the bail to press upon the stopper and to release the pressure by a reverse action; and the object is to simplify and improve the existing art and provide a bottle-stopper fastener which is of simplified construction, effective in operation, easily manipulated, and strong and durable in use.

With these ends in view the invention consists in the novel construction of parts and their combination, as will be hereinafter fully described, and the novelty thereof particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

I have fully and clearly illustrated the invention in the accompanying drawings, to be taken as a part of this specification, and wherein- Figure l is a view in elevation and perspective showing the stoppercap clamped in locked position by the bail and lever. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the bottle-neck, partly in central vertical section, vshowing the elements clamped in locked position. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the stopper-cap or closure, showing the inclined surfaces with which the bail has preliminary engagement. Fig. 4t is aperspective view of one of the bearings which take in the studs or tru-nnions of the locking-lever. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the stopper-cap or closure.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the neck of the bottle, the head of which is formed with an annular swell or reinforcement 2, having formed therein at diametrically opposite points inwardly-projected sockets- 3 4, wherein are placed socketbearings 5 6, adapted to take in the trunnions of the locking lever, as indicated in y the drawings.

These socket-bearings consist of a short tube seriali No. 67,926. (No man.)

having a closed inner end to prevent pressure and impact of the engaging trunnions and at their outer ends have an annular flange to set against and protect the material adjacent to the sockets in the neck of the bottle. It will be perceived that by this arrangement and construction the strain consequent on the action of this locking-lever is entirely removed from directinliuence on the frangible material to the stronger and more suitable engagement with the metallic bearing-sockets, thereby removing the liability of fracture of the head of the bott-le by the' operative actions of the lever.

7 designates the stopper-cap or closure, provided with a cork disk 8 in the inner side or a disk of other suitable sealing qualities,

adapted to rest on the rim or lip of the mouth of the bottle and seal the entrance. On the top of the stopper-cap is formed a raised circular portion 9, having a transverse groove or seat l0, in which the bar of the bail engages and is held against lateral or torsional displacement. To elr'ect the seating of the bail, the circular portion 9 is formed with inclined` or cam sections 11, the inclines opening into the bail-groove, so that when the cap is moved over the mouth of the bottle and the bail-groove is not in alinement with the bail the cap on pressure will automatically tend to permit the bail to be directed into the groove. The earn-surfaces 1l also serve the purpose of tightening the cap in position when any of the connections are worn or become loose, when by turning the cap the bail will ride upon the inclines, and thus compensate for or take up the wear and hold the cap tight in position. The slight rotary1 movement thus given to the cap tends to seal the cork firmly and closely on the mouth of the bottle.

12 designates the bail, having its cross-bar loosely projected through an aperture made in a rib 13 on the cap, and its arms depending downward and formed with inwardly-directed lugs let, engaging in eyes formed in the yoke or lever, as shown in the drawings.

15 designates the yoke or lever, having a circular part constituting the handle for inanipulat-ing the lever and' formed with oppositely-placed eyes 17, within which the lugs of the bail engage and extended. vertically IOO from the said eyes and turned inward and engaging in the'bearing-sockets, substantially as indicated in the drawings.

The manipulation effecting the action or operation of the closure is applied by turning the yoke away from the bottle, which swings bearingsockets fitted in said sockets, consisting of socket pieces or bearings having closed inner ends and annular anges at their outer ends to lodge against the face of the bottleneck, a stopper having a groove across its upper face, a bail, on which the stopper is hung having depending arms formed With inturned ends, a locking-lever formed with inturned trunnions engaging in the said socket pieces or bearings, eyes in the lever to receive the inturned ends of the bail and formed to embrace the neck of the bottle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

y JOHN S. ALSTON. Witnesses:

GEO, E. FRECH, H. SCHMIDT. 

